Xbox Live news - An interview with Beth Goza of Microsoft

During our recent visit to Microsoft headquarters, we had the pleasure of meeting with Beth Goza, Sr. Community Manager at Microsoft. Beth is one of the people in charge of PR for first-party Xbox Live titles on both Windows Phone and Windows 8, you see. She kindly agreed to an interview in which we discuss her favorite Windows Phone games, the ratio of casual to core games in the mobile lineup, Wordament, and other gaming topics. Check it out after the break!

Lenovo ThinkPad Windows 8 tablet specifications leaked

We're ready for more leaked information surrounding Windows 8 tablets to flow with the upcoming release of Microsoft's next major release of its desktop operating system drawing closer. Microsoft recently unveiled their Surface family of tablets, which would be built to force manufacturers to product unique and high quality hardware for Windows 8.

Lenovo is planning to launch Windows 8 tablet to rival Microsoft's Surface, as well as other OEMs building hardware for the platform (not to mention the iPad and Android tablets). According to Techin5, which got hold of leaked slides showcasing the proposed tablet, Lenovo will be launching the tablet under its ThinkPad brand and will be packing a punch with included features for business customers.

Need for Speed Undercover finally races past the finish line as Xbox Live Deal of the Week

It’s a great week for Windows Phone gamers. Not only do we get a terrific new release, but the Deal of the Week is a game that’s never been on sale before. Need for Speed: Undercover, a launch title from Electronic Arts is finally on sale for $2.99, down from $4.99.

Now, I wasn’t much impressed with the more recent NFS title, Hot Pursuit – see my review. But Undercover isn’t bogged down with endless grinding or absurd difficulty. It’s just fast racing in beautiful licensed cars, as you’d expect from the series. Just look at our review; it’s pretty glowing.

Whilst at the Windows Phone Dev Day in Bournemouth we got a chance to meet Ross Gouldthorpe, who has been developing for Windows Phone for two years. Ross was kind enough to give us a walkthrough of his upcoming Windows phone game, Atoms.

The game is also currently in development for the Xbox 360 and has a Nintendo DS homebrew counterpart. The game Atoms has roots as an old Amiga game of the same name. It started life as freebie on the cover of a magazine, which is where Ross first discovered it. Ross tells me he still has his Amiga machines but these days they are locked up in storage, he does still have the Amiga CD32 connected to his TV though.

The Lazyworm team has released an update to the highly rated YouTube Windows Phone app, MetroTube. Featuring a heavily Metro-influenced design and feel, the app really is the unofficial home of YouTube on the mobile platform. It disappeared for a number of months at the beginning of the year due to API issues with Google, which couldn't be resolved even after consulting with Microsoft.

Luckily the third-party YouTube app is back in action, and returned to the Marketplace earlier this month. Today version 3.3 of MetroTube passed certification so it should be with us shortly. So, what's new in this release?

Windows Phone Review: Nokia Weather Channel App

While there's the Weather Channel app available on the Windows Phone Marketplace, Nokia has an exclusive version of the Weather Channel app as well. The Nokia Weather Channel app was recently updated to version 2.0 with a few new features added to the mix. We've touch on these new features earlier but now we want to take a look at the full app.

Some may scratch their head at Nokia's choice for an exclusive weather app but the update may change your mind on the Weather Channel app.

Xbox Live - Pool Pro Online 3 now available with online multiplayer

As we promised yesterday, Namco Bandai’s Pool Pro Online 3 is now on the Marketplace. And guess what? It’s surprisingly good!

Pool Pro Online 3 offers a realistic simulation of three pool games: 8-ball, 9-ball, and snooker. Foggy on the rules (like me) or new to pool? The built-in tutorial and reference section make learning a snap. Seriously, I have no real-life aptitude for pool but I’ve still managed to win several games so far.

Nokia Lumia 710 available through MTS Canada

The Nokia Lumia 710 is being offered through the Canadian wireless provider MTS for $29.99 after a three year contract and a minimum $24.99 voice plan. The 3.7" screened Windows Phone can also be had outright through MTS for $279.99.

MTS is a local carrier servicing Manitoba and the pricing point is a little on the high side. Rogers Wireless, who also services the Manitoba region, is offering the Lumia 710 for a penny on a three year contract.

With today’s announcement of Outlook.com many of you have noticed that if you were logged into Hotmail with your old account and navigated to Outlook.com you were automatically logged in to the new “preview” of Microsoft’s new email service.

What’s more, you actually have the option—even on an old Hotmail address—to change it to @outlook.com. But there is a catch for Windows Phone users…

SplashID dives into the Windows Phone Marketplace

SplashID is a Windows Phone app that is a carry over from the Windows Mobile days and has had a fair amount of success on iOS, Android and Blackberry systems. What is SplashID you ask? It is a handy Windows Phone app to help you manage, backup and remember all your usernames and passwords.

SplashID can be used to store credit card numbers, registration codes, PINs, bank account information, birthdays, serial numbers, website usernames, passwords, and more. The app covers twenty two types of data that can be filed under business or personal categories. All of which can be edited.

Verizon set to push out Windows Phone Tango update for HTC Trophy August 1st

Verizon have returned with an announcement that the Windows Phone Tango update is almost ready to fire up for their HTC Trophy handsets. Customers will be able take advantage of new features and functionality in the next version of Windows Phone. This will begin to prep consumers for the Windows Phone 7.8 update which is sat on the horizon.

Microsoft has today unveiled the Outlook.com preview to the public, which is essentially a Hotmail upgrade. The successor is completely metrofied, and is feature rich taking elements and functionality from both Hotmail and Exchange. Outlook.com is integrated into Windows and Office, while being able to connect to social networks including Twitter, Facebook, Gmail and LinkedIn for contact synchronisation.

Microsoft is offering 7GB of free storage through SkyDrive for those signing up to the new email service, and is attempting to turn users away from email attachements to cloud storage. Outlook.com will become a supported option when setting up email on Windows 8, Windows Phone (as well as other smartphones that support Exchange ActiveSync). From the video below, we can see Skype integration being present for video calls to be made without launching the app. Exciting stuff.

Samsung Omnia M Windows Phone priced to fail in Brazil?

We’ve reported on Samsung’s Omnia M phone in the past noting that their latest phone is a low-end, borderline Tango entry meant for new and developing markets. That translates into ho-hum specs (4” display, 1GHz CPU, 4GB storage, 5MP camera) and in theory, a low-entry price.

For whatever reason though, we’re not seeing Samsung place nice with local markets with their pricing of the Omnia M borderline unreasonably high for such a mediocre device...

PEGI now legally enforced in the UK, what does this mean for Windows Phone users?

The PEGI (Pan European Game Information) ratings system has become legally enforceable in the UK, which means retailers and publishers that sell video games to children are now liable for fines and possible imprisonment. This is due to a new age classification system being forcefully implemented to crack down on unsuitable content for certain age groups.

All video games will be regulated under the PEGI system this coming Monday, which also makes it illegal to sell 12-rated games to underage children (among the usual certifications). Until this time, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has only provided 15 and 18 age certificates that are legally enforceable, making it legal for children to purchase 12-rated media. But what does this mean for Windows Phone users?

SuperSport now available on the Windows Phone Marketplace

A SuperSport (website) app is now available for Windows Phone, which enables users to keep up to date with latest sport headlines, scores, fixtures and more for a number of sports. The website is a portal for those who enjoy sport in general, from football and rugby to cricket and golf, it's all covered. The Windows Phone app is a perfect companion should you visit the website often to read daily content.

With the Olympics currently taking place in London, SuperSport is also covering the headlines and also sports live event footage through DStv (website only), which is handy should you find yourself situated away from the TV. Regarding normal day-to-day sport, SuperSport for Windows Phone features live rugby and football events and commentary with results, logs, fixtures and more being presently available.